TITLE EXAMINER TRAINEE
Title Examiner Trainee is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The stated bar is a bachelor's degree, but candidates can swap in added experience for the diploma. The FY2027 range lands between $53,282 and $55,691, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Transportation.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $56,253. The agencies employing the most are:
- Transportation (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under close supervision of a Principal Title Examiner, Division of Right of Way and Access Management, or other supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, as a trainee and productive worker, receives on-the-job training in performing varied work incidental to the acquisition of real estate or interests therein, including title searches, the determination of the legal effect of recorded instruments; and the preparation of abstracts, memoranda and or other required documents; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Learns to search, evaluate, analyze and examine records relating to documents found in a chain of title in order to determine the accuracy and legal effect of such instruments on the title in question. Learns to examine documentation such as deeds, mortgages and all instruments affecting such mortgages, contracts of sale and assignments and leases and releases, postponements, subordination, discharges, releases and satisfactions; wills, probate and intestacy proceedings; letters testamentary and of administration; certificates of tax sale; secured transactions, power of attorney, mechanics liens, judgments, bonds to Sheriff, attachments and Federal Liens, in order to verify factors such as properties' legal description, ownership and restrictions. Learns to perform Service of Process related to Right of Way acquisitions and possessory actions. Learns to prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it. Learns to prepare title report describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching and analyzing activities and eliminating those that do not affect the parcel in question. Learns to verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for recording. May assist higher level Title Examiners in completing on-site inspections of real property to obtain helpful information by using tax maps and records. Learns to investigate and clarify problem areas of a routine nature with respect to determination of real property ownership, title searches, Department jurisdiction, and property boundaries. Learns to prepare certification of title for the signature of the Title Officer and Attorney General showing the conveyance of the State of the land under examination, the recording of the instrument evidencing such conveyance, and such exception to the title that needs to be removed at the time of final settlement. Makes appropriate entries to the Right of Way databases. Prepares accurate, routine reports and correspondence. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Ability to acquire a knowledge of the form, content, purpose and interpretation of legal documents including deeds, agreements, easements, restrictions, mortgages, mortgage cancellations and other documents of cancellation, discharge and/or release. Ability to acquire knowledge of the responsibilities, functions, policies and procedures of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, concerned with the acquisition of real estate required for highway right of way and of the laws of New Jersey pertaining thereto. Ability to acquire knowledge of the organization, of county records, and of the methods used in locating and abstracting information. Ability to learn to exhibit strong research capabilities and organize data. Ability to learn to organize assigned legal and related work involved in the examination and analysis of title to real property and develop effective work methods. Ability to learn to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic law, legal documents, Department regulations, legal terms, language, and laws related to real estate. Ability to learn to understand descriptions of property. Ability to learn to comprehend the meaning and final effect of documents upon the legal ownership and title of real property. Ability to learn to prepare clear, legally sound, accurate, factual, and informative reports on title matters for the Title Officer and the Attorney General containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to analyze data and information. Ability to deal effectively with others. Ability to learn to correlate data from a wide variety of sources and utilize such information in determinations of titles of real property and other related basic information having an effect upon property acquisition. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to maintain the required records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible ADVANCEMENT Appointees who successfully complete the 12-month training period will be eligible for advancement to the Title Examiner title in accordance with New Jersey Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this trainee title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to a title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Four (4) years of professional experience in title searching and other work incidental to the conveyance of real estate. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions. SNNE95N/AP95- SN4095N/AP95- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 1/23/2024